four things | fifty-eight | Miss Mustard Seed

As a reminder, my next original art sale is tomorrow, Friday, January 16, 2026, at 1:00 EST.  You can see a sale preview HERE.

This week has been a busy one for me!  I came home from helping my parents on Sunday afternoon, so I had to hit the ground running Monday morning to catch up on things I couldn’t do last week away from my studio.  I’ve been catching up on photography, painting, and other things that require more gear than I could take with me.  It’s been a good busy, though.  There are exciting things happening and a lot to look forward to.

Here are my four things for the week: Fishing for Elephants, Drops of God, creative stakes, and a manuscript review…

what I’m reading

Fishing for Elephants: Insights and Exercises to Inspire Authentic Creativity by Larry Moore.

I read this book a few years ago and decided to revisit it while I was at my parents’ house.  It seemed like a good book to dive into as I’m still thinking and planning for 2026 and beyond.  As with many books in this vein, I take what serves me, challenges, and encourages, and leave behind the things that don’t apply or I just flat-out disagree with.  It’s been good for me to work through, though, and clarify.  It’s geared towards artists specifically, but it’s a worthwhile book for anyone who does creative work.

what I’m watching

Several people recommended Drops of God, available on AppleTV+, and Jeff and I finally watched it over the Christmas break.  We weren’t really sure what it was about or what to expect from it, but it was excellent!  It’s the kind of story that unfolds slowly and has good things to root for.  I also learned all sorts of interesting things about the world of wine, which was a nice follow-up to my trip to a vineyard in Tuscany last fall.  Season two is coming out next week, so it’s a good time to watch season one.

what I’m loving

“Here is a secret that will set you free.  What others think of you has no bearing on you.  The days of stoning someone are over.”  

– Larry Moore, Fishing for Elephants, pg 38.  

There is a lot more freedom to create and find joy in our art when we realize the stakes aren’t life or death.

what I’m working on

My main focus this week has been reviewing my book manuscript layout.  Because my publisher knows I like working in analog, they printed and mailed the manuscript to me, along with sending a PDF file, so I could review it on paper.  It makes a difference for me to hold something in my hands and digest it.  To me, it’s different than looking at it on a screen.  It’s also a lot easier on my eyes.

Of course, working in analog has its challenges.  Violet decided she would be a paperweight.  I’m also at the age where I have to wear readers in addition to my contacts, so there is that!

I’m so excited about this book, though.  I have enjoyed reading through it afresh, and I can’t wait until it’s out in the world.

What have you been reading, watching, loving, and working on?